DCW writes to FinMin seeking info on proposals for augmenting Delhi police force

Delhi Commission for Women Chief Swati Maliwal, who is on an indefinite hunger strike, today wrote to the

Union Finance Ministry seeking to know details of action taken on proposals received since 2005 for augmentation of the city's police force.

Maliwal also asked about the reasons for non-approval of personnel for the force as sought by the Delhi Police.

Maliwal has been on hunger strike for the last eight days demanding death penalty for rape of minors and setting up of fast-track courts to complete trial in such cases in six months, besides recruitment of 66,000 police personnel in Delhi.

"The Delhi Police has stated that several proposals for additional manpower approved by the Union Home Ministry are pending with the Department of Expenditure since last several months. We are informed that initially, Delhi Police first sought 66,000 additional police personnel," Maliwal wrote in the letter.

 

Stating that the capital reports rapes of three children everyday, Maliwal said a major impediment in ensuring speedy justice in these cases is the time taken in investigation and the quality of investigation done by the police.

Since long, a need has been felt by the police itself to augment its resources by increasing the manpower, she said.

"While the acute shortage of staff felt by the Delhi Police itself may or may not seem urgent on files but at the grassroots, it's having a dangerous effect. As it is, even the sanctioned strength of police personnel per police station is extremely inadequate given the severe workload on each police personnel as well as the demands of the profession," the notice read.

Maliwal said it has been informed through media reports that the Central government at one point said that it did not have sufficient funds (to the tune of only Rs 425 crores) to augment the police force and ensure protection women and girls of Delhi.

This stand of the Central government is not only highly insensitive but also anti-women and girls, she said, seeking the ministry's reply by April 23.